    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [December 9, 2004]
    [Pages 3062-3063]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Nomination of R. James Nicholson To Be Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    December 9, 2004

        The President. Thank you all. Please be seated. Good morning. I'm
    pleased to announce my nomination of Ambassador Jim Nicholson to the--to
    be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
        Jim Nicholson is a patriot, a man of deep conviction who has
    answered his country's call many times. As a young man from Iowa, raised
    in modest circumstances, he became a cadet at West Point in the late
    1950s and went on to become an Army Ranger and paratrooper. As a Ranger,
    he fought in Vietnam, where he won multiple decorations for bravery in
    combat, including the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. After 8
    years on active duty, he joined the Army Reserves, where he served for
    22 more years before retiring as a full colonel.
        Throughout his career, Jim has shown the same honor, integrity, and
    commitment to service that defined his life as a military officer. He
    and his wife, Suzanne, have given back
    generously to their community and have been leaders in numerous
    volunteer causes in their home State of Colorado. He was a respected
    chairman of the Republican National Committee. And for the past 3 years,
    he has served as the United States Ambassador to the Vatican. Jim has
    worked with the Vatican to advance many vital foreign policy goals,
    including fighting poverty, hunger, AIDS, expanding religious liberty
    around the world, and ending the brutal practice of human trafficking.
        I'm grateful to Jim for his superb work as our Ambassador, and I now
    have asked him to accept a new assignment, to serve his country and his
    fellow veterans.
        As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, he will lead a department of more
    than 230,000 employees responsible for ensuring our Nation's--that our
    Nation's veterans receive the health care and other benefits our country
    has promised them. Twenty-five million Americans are military veterans
    who stepped forward to serve when the Nation needed them. The Nation
    owes them in return a VA that is dedicated to effective, prompt
    attention to their needs. That has been a commitment of my
    administration for the last 4 years, and it will remain a commitment for
    the next 4 years.
        When confirmed by the Senate, Jim Nicholson will succeed Tony
    Principi, who has been a fine member of
    my Cabinet. Secretary Principi is a man who insists on results, and he
    has gotten results. Thanks to his leadership, veterans and their
    families have seen many improvements in VA services. They're receiving
    better care, and their claims are processed more quickly. Tony Principi
    has made it the Department's highest priority to assist veterans with
    service-related disabilities, low incomes, and other special needs. He's
    also launched a program to help homeless veterans find permanent
    housing. In all his work as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Tony Principi
    has shown himself to be an outstanding executive, a friend to his fellow
    veterans, and a goodhearted man. I'm proud of his service, and I wish
    him and Liz all the very best.

    [[Page 3063]]

        Jim Nicholson will build on Tony Principi's achievements in continuing to modernize the VA, especially
    the VA health care system. Jim has the judgment and the character and
    the management expertise to do this job well.
        I thank him for agreeing to serve. I also thank Suzanne and other
    members of their family. I want to thank their son Nick and his wife, Charlotte;
    daughter, Katie, and son-in-law, Bo. I hope the Senate will confirm Jim
    Nicholson very soon. I look forward to welcoming him to my Cabinet.
        Congratulations.

    [At this point, Secretary-designate Nicholson made brief remarks.]

        The President. Good job, Jim. Thank you. Congratulations.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:47 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of Secretary-designate Nicholson.